The Little Girl who made a Change The Story of Ruby Bridges By: Valencia Pringle

On September 8, 1954, in Tylertown, Mississippi, a beautiful baby girl was born to Lucille and Abon Bridges. The parents named the little girl Ruby Nell Bridges. They didn’t know that their little girl would be the first black child to integrate an all-white school in the South.

When Ruby was four years old, her daddy moved her and her mommy to New Orleans. He moved the family so they could have more money.

Ruby was very sad to move from her grandparents farm Ruby was very sad to move from her grandparents farm. Lucille knew that Ruby loved stories, so she would read to Ruby every night to make her happy.

Ruby wanted to read stories just like her mommy read, but she couldn’t read.

One day Ruby sat in her room and tried to read the book her mother would read to her. When she couldn’t say the words, she started crying loudly. Her mother came to see what was wrong, and Ruby whined to her mother and asked, “Mommy, how do you know how to read? I want to read, but I can’t.”

“ Oh, Ruby. ” Her mommy said and hugged Ruby “ Oh, Ruby!” Her mommy said and hugged Ruby. “You will learn how to read. In fact, you are at the age where you can go to school. You are going to read and write at school.” She whispered in her ear. Ruby let go of her mom and screamed, “I am going to school.”

Lucille and Abon spent all night calling all of the black schools Lucille and Abon spent all night calling all of the black schools. They put her in school that was a mile away from her home.

Ruby didn’t care that she had to walk a long way to get to school Ruby didn’t care that she had to walk a long way to get to school. She was excited just to go. She woke up on her first day of school and put on her white dress, pink jacket, and black shoes. She said a prayer, “I hope they like me.”

After Ruby ate breakfast she and her mom walked the mile to get to school. Her mom kissed her on the cheek and said, “Ruby remember no one is smarter than you. You gon’ do good.”

Ruby did do very good in school and her teachers felt that she was smarter than her grade. Ruby was chosen to take a test to see if she would get to go to an all white school. The test was very hard but Ruby still passed.

In 1960, Ruby’s parents were told by leaders from a organization, NAACP that she was one of only six other black students to pass the test. Ruby would be the only black student to attend the William Frantz School, near her home.

Ruby’s daddy didn’t want her to go to the school, because he thought it would cause trouble. Her mommy, wanted Ruby to go to get a better education.

The state of Louisiana didn’t want black students to go to school with white students, so they tried to keep Ruby and the other five black students from going to school. Ruby was supposed to go to her new school in September but didn’t go until November.

On the morning of November 14, 1960, federal marshals drove Ruby and her mother the five blocks to her new school. While in the car, one of the men named Billy said, “My name is Billy and their names are George and Will. We have been sent to keep you safe at your new school. Do you understand. ” Ruby nodded her head, but didn’t know why she needed to be kept safe.

When Ruby and the federal marshals arrived at the school, large crowds of people were in front yelling and throwing objects. Ruby thought that it was a celebration, but became scared when someone threw a tomato at her. Billy said, “Ruby just keep your eyes on me. ” Ruby did what she was told. She whispered, “Help me God.”

When she got into the school, there were no students in the building because parents took their students out. She asked the principle, “Where is everyone?” “Well, Ruby do you know what racism is?”Her principle asked. Ruby looked at the tall white man as he said, “racism is when people treat you bad because you are a different color than them. This is why no one is here, because you are black and they are white.” Ruby said, “Well, I guess I am going to have to learn by myself.” Billy and the other guards started to laugh.

Only one teacher, Barbara Henry, agreed to teach Ruby and for a full year, Henry and Ruby sat side-by-side at two desks working on Ruby's lessons. She was very loving and supportive of Ruby, helping her not only with her studies, but teaching her to be brave.

Ruby continued to be brave, and although it was hard, people from the black and white community begin to accept Ruby. She will always be known as the brave little girl who help all black kids attend white schools.